Spain reigns as England's World Cup wait goes on

SYDNEY — Spain won its first FIFA Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal.

Spain's first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women's World Cup since Germany in 2007.

England's wait for World Cup glory goes on, with the men's team's victory in 1966 remaining the country's solitary triumph at the top level of international soccer.

Carmona's 29th-minute left-foot strike flew into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Carmona also scored the winner in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.

Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso's penalty was saved by Earps.

"It was a really tough game. We knew it would be tricky, England has a great team, but I think it was our game," Carmona told Spanish national broadcasters La 1. "We had the feeling we were going to do it, and this is unstoppable, the truth is I don't know what to tell you."

Spain's victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year.

Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment. Three players reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.

England had momentum going into the tourney after winning last summer's European Championship.

England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup finals. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States.

The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.

One of England's best chances was in the 16th minute when Lauren Hemp's blast caromed off the crossbar.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the extra-time winner over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Paralluelo nearly scored seconds from halftime but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who sustained a cut above her eye.

Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.

Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty for a handball by Keira Walsh. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of late saves.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year, was introduced off the bench with 15 seconds left in regulation, although over 13 minutes of stoppage time were added.

There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.

Agencies